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Georgia Tech Football: Things I Think I Know – Boston College
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- Georgia Tech Football: Things I Think I Know – Boston College
I genuinely have nothing to say. That was an embarrassing, lackluster performance by the Jackets. Under Brent Key, we are typically able to be competitive, but the first half was a complete domination by Virginia Tech. We looked much better in the second half, but there were too many mistakes for us to dig ourselves out of the hole we had created. It was a frustrating game to watch, and it makes last week's win over Duke feel more like a fluke than a turning point. Virginia Tech is a solid team, but this is a game we should have been able to compete in, and arguably should have won if not for our mistakes. Now, we turn the page and welcome Boston College to the Flats for homecoming with the Power T helmets making a return. The Eagles gave us plenty of trouble last season, and they have been playing with some extra fire over the past several weeks. After another disappointing defeat, the Jackets have plenty to prove as they look to bounce back. Here is what I think I know as we look ahead to this weekend's Boston College game.
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Boston College is hard to read
If I could describe Boston College's season in one word, it would be: weird. They have played up and down against their competition, with a win over Pitt, a close loss to SMU, and ugly, close wins over Maine and Rutgers. I wouldn't call this team good by any means, but they can beat us and definitely look promising. Hopefully, being at home will give us some magic, but my confidence about this game has dwindled.
The Eagles have a mobile quarterback in junior Mason McKenzie, who leads the team in rushing with 444 yards for three touchdowns. He came from Division II Saginaw Valley State and has been struggling to adjust to this level as a passer, but has impressed with his legs. Former Georgia Tech running back Evan Dickens follows him in rushing with 293 yards and four touchdowns on the year. There is nothing too noteworthy at the wide receiver position, as it looks like McKenzie does not have a go-to receiver, but he can spread the ball around the field. Javarius Green leads the team with 229 yards, and sophomore Landon Wright had two catches for 122 yards against the Panthers last weekend, and is averaging 30.4 yards per catch on the season. We have struggled to defend the deep ball, so this name should be one to watch out for on Saturday. The Eagles are 98th in total offense, but I will never count out a mobile quarterback against our defense.
There is no consistency on this football team
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Brent Key wants this team to have a tough, physical identity, and this was their image up until this season. Ironically, though, the only identity that has remained consistent this season is inconsistency. We have yet to put together a complete game of football. What makes it even more frustrating is that our weaknesses seem to change from week to week. For example, Duke converted 10/17 on third-down attempts two weeks ago, yet we held Virginia Tech to just 4/13 on third down this past weekend. Our pass defense will look solid one week and struggle the next. The examples go on, but the bottom line is that it is hard to know what to expect from this team. What's even more frustrating is watching us build momentum in one quarter, only to see it disappear in the next. If this team wants to establish the tough, physical identity Key envisions and desires to return to, we have to find a way to play consistently from start to finish.
The offense is improving and will need to continue to do so when we go up against a solid Boston College defense.
The Yellow Jacket offense had an abysmal start to 2026, but they have slowly been improving. Alberto Mendoza has been able to settle in as well, as he had a career-high last week against Virginia Tech, going 29/38 for 335 yards. Receivers Jordan Allen and Dalen Penson also had career highs, with Allen putting up 120 yards and Penson putting up 86. The offensive line at least looks better than the first several games of the season, and the run game has finally been able to get back into the swing of things. They will be tested this weekend, as Boston College's defense has been the reason they have stayed in games. They are ranked 42nd in the country, giving up an average of 328.8 yards per game and 23 points per game. Their passing defense is one of the best in the nation, which will pose a hefty challenge for Mendoza.
The back half of our schedule does not look promising
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Our schedule does not look favorable the rest of the way. After Boston College this weekend, we have Pitt, Louisville, Clemson, Wake Forest, and uga. Finding four more wins looks virtually impossible, and we do not have any room for error. Wake Forest has come out of nowhere and now looks like a top-15 team in the country. Pitt is having quarterback troubles after Mason Heintschel tore his right ACL, but it will not be an easy win by any means. Clemson and Louisville have not been as successful as they had hoped, but they are still very talented. I do not think I need to explain uga to anyone (War Eagle, though). It will take a major turnaround, or even a miracle, to reach bowl eligibility with the teams ahead of us.
There is not much to say after putting up one of our worst performances under Key. The team showed fight in the second half, but it was not enough to get out of the hole we dug ourselves into. It is sad what this season is turning into, and I just feel deflated. I will always support this team, but it's challenging right now. Like I said a few weeks ago, tough times always come to an end, and Blacksburg is definitely no easy place to play. Homecoming is this weekend, which is always a fun time on campus. Enjoy the beautiful fall weather, and hopefully, we can come out on top.
Go Jackets always.
